Today I took Samson out for a long walk at the common. I’ve not taken him out on my own for a couple of weeks due to work, so Gregg has had the pleasure. To put it bluntly, it didn’t go well!
Samson has gone for horses before. A horse starts running, he has to urge to chase it and so off he goes. I stand there shouting at him to return, some times it works, some times it doesn’t. This is becoming a bit of a problem. I wasn’t suprised he went for the horse, and luckily he returned. I absolutely yelled my throat to pieces, and thankfully he decided to turn around.
All is well, and I put the leash on for a few minutes until we are on the playing field and just in case the horses decide to run again. Let him off, two seconds later, “those girls on the other side of the playing field have a couple of footballs … I like footballs”. BHAM … off goes my mali. I’m stood there shouting for him to return, cracking his toy in between my hands, and guess what? He doesn’t give a damn. Stacey has my toy, but these lovely ladies have two large footballs. Within seconds he has grabbed one and is running about with it, every now and then turning back to them to take their other football. I cannot apologise enough to them and haven’t a clue how to get their ball back. He obviously found them far more entertaining than his tug toy, and the treats weren’t good enough. So I set about making a fool of myself, trying everything. Treats, running in the other direction etc. Then I ask the girls for their other football, because he seemed to want both. I stood there teasing him, and he comes trotting along. I quickly pinned him down. He’s not stupid, he would’ve ran off if he saw I wanted to ball. So I went for him and pinned him to the floor. Thankfully this worked, and the poor girls got their footballs back, one didn’t look very amused at all.
So no I’m seeking advice on a forum on how to stop his bolting habits. He is getting so quick and stong, and if in a years time he bolts towards some girls I can’t imagine it being funny. He is going to be a massive mali. I will let you know what methods we give a go, and whether or not they work. My first port of call is a long leash as recommended by a good friend, Svenja. Thankfully she always helps, and fingers crossed that this will work for me and Samson.
